Gilles Simon beats Benoit Paire to set up Novak Djokovic clash in Paris

Gilles Simon has overcome fellow Frenchman Benoit Paire to book his place in the third round of the Paris Masters.

The world number 15 battled through in three sets, claiming a 6-4 4-6 6-1 win on home soil.

Things got off to a bad start for Simon, who lost serve in the opening game of the contest before quickly battling back to break his opponent.

Paire, who beat Gael Monfils in the last round to reach this stage, stuck with his countryman but a second break in the 10th game gave his opponent an early foothold.

It was Paire who prevailed in the second set, though, this time earning a couple of breaks of his own to level up the match, although Simon proved too strong in the end.

After racing 5-1 ahead, the 30-year-old - who claimed success in Marseille earlier this year - managed to get the job done to set up a meeting with Novak Djokovic in the last 16.